The Happy Prince
Age 7+
Classic Fiction
An astonishing reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story.
Gloriously adapted and illustrated by the winner of the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Swallow is a homeless boy who’s just arrived in the big city. He settles down for the night under the golden and bejewelled statue of the Happy Prince, yet when he looks up he sees the statue is weeping. What could a golden Happy Prince possibly have to feel sad about?
But from his view high above the city, the prince can see the suffering of the poor. He asks little Swallow to take his jewels and gold to the people who need them most. Can the statue and the boy find a way to bring happiness to everyone in the city?
Creators
Harry Woodgate (they/them) is a multi-award-winning author and illustrator, whose debut picture book Grandad’s Camper won the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, was shortlisted for the Polari Prize, and named as an ALA Stonewall Honor Book.
It was inspired by their university dissertation, which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBTQIA+ characters in children’s books. Their work has also been shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards, and the Folio Society Book Illustration Competition twice.
When they’re not creating amazing books, they love writing music, cycling, baking, and exploring independent coffee shops and bookstores.
Reviews
Illustrated in purple throughout, this is both uplifting and a warning against the excess of capitalism
The Bookseller, Editor's Choice
